Gil Brandt - NFL.com Analyst and legendary V.P. and Director of Player Personnel for the Dallas Cowboys for 30 years.
"I've been involved with the NFL for decades. In that time, I have known few people who can match Frank Coyle's ability to judge football talent. I value his opinions very much. And any fan who wants an accurate and in-depth analysis of college players headed to the NFL should read Frank Coyle's Draft Insiders' Digest. Frank offers great insights you won't find in any other NFL Draft publication."

Eric DeCosta - Pro Personnel Director - Baltimore Ravens
"Frank Coyle is one of the best evaluators in the business because he does his own work. He's not interested in other people's opinions. He's got a keen eye for talent an d a passion for scouting college talent. Without a doubt, his Draft Insiders Digest is essential for fans and NFL executives. I look forward to receiving my copy every April."

Phil Savage - Senior Bow Bowl Director & former Cleveland Browns GM
"I have found Frank Coyle's information to be very thorough and insightful. In my opinion, any NFL fan who is interested in the NFL Draft would enjoy Draft Insiders' Digest very much. I know how many hours and months the Ravens and Browns put in preparing for the NFL Draft and I think Frank Coyle and his staff do the same thing. It's obvious by their volume of quality information on the college prospects in Draft Insiders' Digest."

Dick Butkus - Hall of Fame Chicago Bear linebacker and founder of Butkus Football Network
"Frank Coyle does an excellent job year round rating the top college players as they prepare for the NFL. Draft Insiders' Digest is a must for anyone that follows the NFL Draft and pro prospects."

College Award Lists

Bama’s Allen Wins Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Defensive End has Tide poised to repeat as national champs in Final Four

Finally, the Alabama Crimson Tide landed a winner in the Bronko Nagurski Trophy balloting: defensive end Jonathan Allen. The nation’s top-ranked team, attempting to win a second straight national title and fifth in eight years, saw Allen claim the trophy as the best defensive player in college football, as chosen by the Football Writers Association of America.

Alabama has had a Nagurski finalist seven times in the last eight years; in fact, the Crimson Tide had two of the five 2016 Nagurski finalists. The previous six times, a Crimson Tide player didn’t get the nod in Charlotte. But Allen, a 6-3, 291-pound senior from Leesburg, Va., broke that streak after returning for his senior season to improve his draft status. Frank Coyle ranks Allen as a Top 10 draft choice entering the postseason. Allen has been on the Senior Bowl list since August 2016. Coyle is a voter in all the major awards, including the Bronko Nagurski award. He voted for DL Jonathan Allen this year.

“I’m honestly speechless right now. I never in a million years thought I would even be up for this award, yet win it,” Allen said. “I’ve got to thank all the guys back at Alabama, God, my parents, my girlfriend, everyone who’s had a part in shaping me and making me who I am. This is just a tremendous award.”

“Few would debate that Alabama has the nation’s best defensive line, and Jonathan Allen is a major reason why Crimson Tide opponents have such a difficult time moving the ball,” said FWAA President Mark Anderson. “He is the winner of the 2016 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and had to beat out one of his teammates, Reuben Foster, for it.”

The finalists on hand for the banquet hosted by the Charlotte Touchdown Club were: Allen, Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, Florida State cornerback Tarvarus McFadden, Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers and Clemson end Christian Wilkins.

Projected as a high first-round pick in next spring’s NFL Draft, Allen has been nicknamed “Superman” for some of his plays. Allen is a standout on the nation’s best defense, which, until the SEC Championship Game, hadn’t given up a touchdown since Oct. 22 against Texas A&M.

“Jonathan Allen is a fantastic player for us, even a better person and leader,” said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. “He’s had an outstanding year. I think he’s sort of someone that a lot of players should look at who came here weighing probably 250 pounds. We kind of recruited him as an outside linebacker. The guy has developed each and every year into being a better and better and better player. I think sometimes a lot of players lose sight of how football is a developmental game, how they improve, how they can improve their value by continuing to grow and develop as players in college. Jonathan Allen is a great example of that.”

Allen is second on the Crimson Tide’s career sack list with 26.5 and has nine sacks for 72 yards in losses this season. He has 15 quarterback hurries, has broken up two passes, and blocked a kick. He has scored touchdowns on two fumble recoveries – a 75-yard return against Ole Miss and a 30-yard return against Texas A&M.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner was chosen from the five finalists who are part of the 2016 FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s entire membership, selected the Nagurski Trophy finalists and winner.

In addition to the 2016 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner’s announcement at the Charlotte Convention Center, the banquet celebrated the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award, sponsored by the CTC and Florida East Coast Railway. Navy’s Chet Moeller, a member of the FWAA’s 1975 All-America Team and a College Football Hall of Famer, was honored. Duke head coach David Cutcliffe was the keynote speaker at the banquet.

The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football’s Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast more than 700 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about our story.

Frank Coyle is a long time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Elflein is a 6-3, 300-pound senior from Pickerington, Ohio, who previously played guard, but is a center this season for the nation’s second-ranked team. O’Connell is a behemoth 6-8, 354-pound junior guard from Wenatchee, Wash., who helps trigger Washington State’s high-octane offense which ranks second in the country in passing with quarterback Luke Falk. Pocic, a 6-7, 302-pound senior center from Lemont, Ill., anchors the line for LSU’s potent rushing game, which is led by Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice. Robinson, a 6-6, 310-pound junior from Monroe, La., is the top offensive tackle on the No. 1-ranked team in college football that produces 492.2 offensive yards per game. Williams, a 6-6, 288-pound sophomore tackle from Coppell, Texas, blocks for the leading rusher in the FBS in yards per game, D’Onta Foreman.

The five semifinalists will be whittled down to three finalists and announced on Tues., Nov. 22, during The Home Depot College Football Awards Nomination Special, starting at 3 p.m. ET on ESPNU. The winner of the 2016 Outland Trophy will be announced Thurs., Dec. 8 on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN, the main show beginning at 7 p.m. ET, live from the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

The Outland Trophy is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1800s, is the third-oldest player award in major college football behind the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award. It has been awarded to the best interior lineman in college football on offense or defense since 1946 when Notre Dame’s George Connor was named the recipient.

For the 20th consecutive year, the presentation of the Outland Trophy will occur in Omaha, on Jan. 11, 2017, at a banquet sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee. At the same banquet, Oklahoma offensive lineman Greg Roberts will receive an Outland Trophy. Roberts was the 1978 winner of the award before trophies were handed out by the FWAA. His Oklahoma coach, the legendary Barry Switzer, will receive the third annual Tom Osborne Legacy Award during the evening.

The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast more than 700 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about our story.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.

Frank Coyle is a long time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Previously, the Lombardi Award was presented to the nation’s top lineman or linebacker. In 2016, eligibility was expanded to include all players, regardless of position, who demonstrate outstanding performance and best exemplify the discipline, virtue and wisdom that defined Vincent Lombardi's exceptional brand of leadership.

The top 20 candidates were selected by a vote of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) head coaches as well as college football media from across the country.

Conner has overcome both a knee injury and Hodgkin lymphoma during the past 12 months and continues to amaze fans in his comeback season. He leads the Panthers in rushing (844 yards on 175 carries) and scoring (92 points). His 15 total TDs rank ninth nationally and second among ACC players.

Conner is coming off his most impressive effort of the season in helping Pitt to a 43-42 upset at #2 Clemson this past Saturday. Facing a Tigers defense that was surrendering less than 16 points per game, he carried 20 times for 132 yards and a TD, while adding three receptions for 57 yards and another score.

Conner has compiled 51 touchdowns for his career, 2nd all-time in ACC annals. He needs just two TDs to eclipse the ACC mark of 52 held by Virginia's Wali Lundy (2002-05). Conner is also on the verge of breaking the ACC record for career rushing touchdowns. He has 48, one shy of the 38-year-old ACC record held by NC State's Ted Brown (49 from 1975-78).

Price is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in college football. Despite being the constant target of double teams, Price ranks seventh nationally in tackles for loss (1.6 per game) and 12th in sacks (0.90 per game). He is 24th in forced fumbles (0.30 per game).

Nearly half of Price’s 33 tackles this season have been for a loss. He has compiled 16 TFLs, nine sacks, nine QB hurries and three forced fumbles on the year. He also has a tackle for a safety (at North Carolina).

Price was named a "Midseason All-American" by no fewer than five national media outlets including DraftInsiders.com. He was recently named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented to the national defensive player of the year. Price is also a frontrunner for ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

Net proceeds from the Rotary Lombardi Award activities are contributed to cancer research and children who cannot afford treatment to fight the disease that claimed the life of Vince Lombardi. The Rotary Lombardi Award is hosted by the Rotary Club of Houston and benefits the American Cancer Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Texas Children's Hospital.

The award ceremony date will be announced later in the football season along with updated lists of award candidates. Visit www.rotarylombardiaward.org for more information and continued updates.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation, Inc., the Florida-based creator and sponsor of the Biletnikoff Award, announced the 10 Semifinalists for the 2016 Biletnikoff Award. The secure and confidential electronic voting by the distinguished members of the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee was conducted from November 7th through November 13th.

Photo - WR Dede Westbrook - Oklahoma

The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the outstanding receiver in college football. Any player, regardless of position (tight end, slot receiver and back, inside receiver, wide receiver, split end, and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes the outstanding receiver, not merely the outstanding
wide receiver.

The ten 2016 Biletnikoff Award Semifinalists
selected in voting by the distinguished members of Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee:

The 2016 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented live on December 8, 2016, on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show to be broadcast 7:00 - 9:00pm (EST) on ESPN. College Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard will present the 2016 Biletnikoff Award winner on the show. Howard is one of only 5 ends or receivers who has won the Heisman Trophy, joining Larry Kelley, Leon Hart, Johnny Rodgers, and Tim Brown.

The correlation between Biletnikoff Award winners and stardom in the National Football League is uncannily predictable. Past Biletnikoff Award winners include Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree, and Larry Fitzgerald.

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., will announce the three finalists on November 21, 2016. For complete details and updates of interest, together with weekly statistics and timely, important news of the Biletnikoff Award candidates, as well as the FanVote and FanForum discussion board, please consult the Foundation's highly informative website at www.biletnikoffaward.com.

Fred Biletnikoff
The name Biletnikoff is synonymous with the term receiver. Fred Biletnikoff, a member of the pro and college football halls of fame, was an All-America receiver at Florida State University, and an All-Pro receiver for the Oakland Raiders. He caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns in his 14-year Raiders career from 1965 through 1978. Fred was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI. The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation (TQC), Inc., created the Biletnikoff Award in 1994.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Maxwell Football Club President, Ron Jaworski, announced the 2016 Semifinalists for the 22nd Chuck Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. The respective list includes a field of 18 candidates for the Bednarik Award as selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee.

Photo – LB Zach Cunningham - Vanderbilt

The defensive side of the ball is comprised of fresh contenders, most of whom are making their debuts as Bednarik Award semifinalists. Four different conferences are represented, led by nine student-athletes from the SEC and three each from the Pac-12, Big Ten and ACC. Last season, the Bednarik Award went to Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich. Matakevich was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 7th round of the NFL Draft 2016.

Semifinalist voting for the Bednarik award presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Tuesday November 1st and will close on November 21st. Three finalists for each award will be announced on November 22, 2016 and a second round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media. All Semifinalists are listed in alphabetical order with the player's school, position and class designated.

The winners of the 80th Maxwell Award and the 22nd Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show, which will be broadcast live on ESPN on December 8, 2016. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club's Awards Dinner on Friday, March 10, 2017 at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Semifinalist voting for both of the collegiate awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Tuesday November 1st and will close on November 21st. Three finalists for both awards will be announced on November 22, 2016 and a second round of voting will take place at that time.

Frank Coyle is a long time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Maxwell Football Club President, Ron Jaworski, announced the 2016 Semifinalists for the 80th Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year. The respective list includes a field of 18 candidates for the Maxwell Award selected by the Maxwell Football Club Selection Committee.

Photo – QB Lamar Jackson - Louisville

A very strong field of Maxwell Award semifinalists includes a representative from every Power Five FBS conference as well two student-athletes each from Alabama and Oklahoma. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson, LSU RB Leonard Fournette and Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey are returners from last year's semifinalist list.

Last season, the Maxwell Award was presented to University of Alabama running back Derrick Henry. Henry was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft 2016.

Semifinalist voting for both of the collegiate awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Tuesday November 1st and will close on November 21st. Three finalists for each award will be announced on November 22, 2016 and a second round of voting will take place at that time. The winners of the 80th Maxwell Award Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show, which will be broadcast live on ESPN on December 8, 2016.

Frank Coyle is a long time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Ohio State linebackers Raekwon McMillan and Jerome Baker were today named semifinalists for the Bukus Award, presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker by the Butkus Foundation of Chicago. A total of 12 players were named semifinalists.

McMillan, one of three finalists for the Butkus Award last year as a sophomore, was the 2013 high school winner of this award. He leads the Buckeyes in tackles with 51. The quarterback of the defense also has three pass break-ups, a forced fumble, quarterback hurry and 2.5 TFLs. He is from Hinesville, Ga., and Liberty County High School. McMillan and Baker are part of an Ohio State defense that ranks 6th nationally in total defense, 6th in scoring defense and 3rd in pass def. efficiency.

* Selectors noted that Jack Cichy’s performance to date qualifies him as a semi-finalist but an injury will likely will keep him off the field for the remainder of the season.

Instituted in 1985, The Butkus Award® is one of the elite individual honors in college football. In 2008, The Butkus Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, took stewardship of the award to fully realize the original purpose of honoring athletic achievement and service to the community while honoring the nation’s best high school, college, and professional linebackers. An independent Butkus Award Selection Committee comprised of 51 experts, including professional, college and high school scouts, and prominent sports journalists, conduct the selection process.

Frank Coyle is a long time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Frank Coyle is a nationally known football scout who publishes Draft Insiders' Digest. In its 26th season, DraftInsiders.com is a website and publication dedicated to the coverage of NFL and NCAA Football.